Agitation routines during the fixing process

[pschauss]

I have been reading this list for a couple of years now and have studied the spec sheets for the various Kodak and Ilford films that I use, but I have never seen explicit directions as to how much I should agitate during the fixing cycle.

For 35 mm and 120 film in a Nikor tank I use the same agitation routine for the fixing process that I used for development - agitate by inversion for the first 30 seconds and then agitate for 5 seconds every 30 second thereafter. I assume that this is sufficient, since my negatives clear properly and have shown no deterioration after six years, but I wonder if I am giving my wrist more of a workout than necessary.

I would be interested to hear what the rest of you do.

 

[JBrunner]

I use continuous gentle agitation for the fixing time, as per the instructions for my fixer (TF-4) Sure can't hurt anything, so that's what I do.

 

[Neanderman]

I have always agitated constantly, whether small or medium format in a tank or sheets in a tray.

Ed

 

[Dan Henderson]

I agitate the fixer for the first 30 seconds, then 5 inversions after another 30 seconds, then 5 inversions at 2 and 3 minutes. My challenge is to agitate the fixer more aggresively after having agitated the developer very slowly and gently. Maybe I should visualize the tank as a martini shaker during the fixing stage...

 

[Michael W]

I agitate for the first 60 seconds & then once or twice each 30 seconds for the remainder.

 

[mikeg]

I always test my fixer before using it by dropping a film leader into it. With reasonably fresh fixer the film is usually cleared within 60 - 90 seconds without any agitation (Ilford fixer 1+4). So, I fix for double that initial time (or 3 minutes whichever is the longer), and invert the tank a few times every minute or so. Seems to work fine.

Mike

 

[Bob F.]

Slow, continuous, as per the way I test for clearing time. When using the Jobo I just let it spin of course.

Bob.

 

[pentaxuser]

I used to agitate very infrequently when on a college evening course. The ethos towards fixer agitation was very casual. Then I agitated more regularly at home( the wife says I have always been a regular agitator at home) in my own darkroom a la the developer routine and then for the first time last week continously and slowly and guess what? Wait for the revelation!

It didn't seem to make a blind bit of difference. Seriously I think that this is one of the few things where agitation isn't crucial as long as there is some.

It certainly doesn't seem to be something where the difference between being the great AA and the very average pentaxuser is the agitation routine.

So don't worry - be happy.

pentaxuser

 

[Akki14]

The rapid fix i use clears a film leader in around 30seconds without any more agitation than me shaking the graduated cylinder to get it soaked. I tend to fix for 2minutes, I do 3 inversions after filling and putting the lid on, then another 3 inversions at the 1minute mark.